Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-03-24
HOW TWAS PRoDuoHp.

DEAR CHIEFTAIN:-While pass
ing through the usually quiet town
of Tahlequah a few days ago my
attention was attracted in the di-
rection Of the national capitol
where there were several small
groups Of men apparently engaged
in an animated conversation.
Being blessed with an enquiring
mind asked the cause and was
informed by one Of the denizens
that a few Of the grand sachems of
the National party, so-called, were
in secret conclave at the head
center of the political cauld-on
known abroad as the capitol.
There seems to have been much
beating about the bush-much
expenditure of mental and phys
ical force in order to secure large
attendance and Misrepresentation
of all the districts, of the party
bosses. A few of the political
wire pullers whose faces are so fa-
miliar upon occasions of this sort
were here it is true, but not more
than half of the districts have
furnished their quota of political
roust-abouts. Some present are
recognized as old political war
horses (inveterate place hunters)
who have become notorious by
possessing a wonderful knock OF
getting on the wrong side just in
the nick of time. A due propo-
tion of bummers, camp followers,
scavengers in the grand army,
prospectively feasting upon few
of the crumbs that may fall from
their masters table, are on hand
to aid and scheme in the coming
election. The ward and precinct
politicians, those faithful servants
of the body polite, who live, starve
and die on promises never fulfill
ed, are not TO be seen in this assem-
bly, of sachems. They will be
marshaled however in due season
properly tutored and manipulated;
the usual abundance of promises
made and inspired. 1t is indeed
refreshing 10 see the old "bosses"
come to the front in times of po-
litical excitement. 1t brings up
"reminiscences Of the past. Most OF
them, if not all, have fought under
every political banner that has
been unfurled in the last twenty
years; on all sides of all questions
and nothing long. Some have abb
solutely boxed the political COM
pass in their Insulated thirst for
place and oftimes have burst
the "subtile hinges of the knee, that
thrift might follow fawning.
They have not always been sue
cessful however, for it some-
times happens although not sue
cessful in putting their candidates
in power, have shrewdly managed
TO extract from the bitter, sweets,
and appropriated the spoils of the
triumphant party against which
they fought so fiercely. There is
no denying the good generalship of
old colonels in this particular STRAIT
egy, for it sets at naught the old
familiar maxim that TO the victor
belongs the spoils. Rumor hath
it there was much confusion in the
conclaye Of the grand sachems, in
trying to conciliate the conflicting
elements Of which it was compos-
ed. Many expedients were resort
ed to, much cutting and trimming.
Speeches ambiguous and of doubt
full import were not wanting in
order TO appease the discontented.
But in nothing is the fine Italian
hands Of the colonels displayed SO
adroitly as in the wording of the
platform. The phrasing OF political
platforms has long since passed in
to one OF the fine arts, of which,
those old veterans are masters.
"The voice is Jacobs voice, but the
hands are the hands Esau." 1
don't think any adopted citizen
who is at all acquainted with past
events, especially when taken in
connection with the standard bear
or Of the so-called National party,
can be deceived in this matter.
II matters not what may be prom
ised Tor him in the platform Of
doubtful construction, II would be
as impossible for him with his nat
ural instincts and associations 10
rise TO level with the demands
OF the circumstances by which he
is surrounded as 10 climb to the
moon upon bean pole. There
Is an eternal fitness in things fix
cd by an orderly course OF nature
and he who expects figs Of thistles
win certainly be mistaken.
IA SPECTATOR.